Friday, January 31, 2014

What About Ginger ??

The first thing you think of when you hear ginger ...

Want to know what else ginger is good for ? Ginger is a interesting spice with many medicinal and culinary uses. I know it was my grandmother's old standby for an upset stomach. So with gingerbread houe baking kits flying off the shelves this time of year, here's a little more about the root and the qualities that accents so much food around the world.

Ginger produces clusters of white and pink flower buds that bloom into yellow flowers. Traditionally, the root is gathered when the stalk withers. The root is immediately scalded, or washed and scraped, to kill it and prevent
sprouting. A vastly popular spice for over 5000 years, it is still popular
today and used in the cooking of both Eastern and Western cultures.
Native to Southeastern Asia, ginger was used over 5000 years ago in
Chinese medicine as well. It is well known for its ability to soothe
digestive ailments which is probably why my grandma had us reach for a
can of ginger ale when we had a stomach ache. Ever since 1585, Jamaican ginger
was the first asian spice to be grown in the New World and imported
back to Europe. India has over 30% of the global share, and now leads in
global
production of ginger, replacing China, which has slipped to the second
position, followed by Indonesia, Nepal and Thailand. The oils in ginger
cause more digestive enzymes to be produced which helps to neutralize
stomach acids and can relive nausea, diarrhea and cramping.
It can also
aid in digestion and assimilation of nutrients. Ginger is so powerful in
reliving nausea that it is used in treating both motion sickness and
morning sickness. Ginger can also help reduce inflammation. So it can be
used to treat any disease that is caused by inflammations such as
arthritis or ulcers. Some studies show that it can even help
inhibit the replication of the herpes simplex virus. Being a warming
herb, ginger can help knock out a fever. This property also makes it
effective in stimulating circulation of the blood. Asians put ginger in their bath water to encourage a good sweat.

It
can also help relax muscles around the blood vessels and is said to
help prevent blood clots from forming. The warming effects make it a
natural decongestant as well as an antihistamine, making it the perfect aid for colds. The American Phytotherapy Research Laboratory in
Salt Lake City has conducted a classic study on motion sickness, which
may cause you to leave the dramamine on the shelf during your next
boating or fishing trip. They spun motion sickness-prone students in two
groups. One group was given Dramamine, the other group ginger. It was
discovered that the group given the ginger was able to withstand the
full 6 minute "spin" with less nausea and dizziness, while the other
group stopped the ride within 4-1/2 minutes. A researcher at the Cornell
University Medical College discovered that ginger has an effect on blood
clots that is similar to that of aspirin, and it appears
that high cholesterol levels are lowered. Ginger oil has been shown to
prevent skin cancer in mice and a study at the University of Michigan
demonstrated that gingerols can kill ovarian cancer cells. Ginger root
supplement was identified in another study to help reduce colon
inflammation markers such as PGE2, thus providing a possible
cost-effective preventative measure for colon cancer. In a 2010 study,
researchers at the University of Georgia have found that daily ginger
consumption also reduces muscle pain caused by exercise. Daily
consumption of ginger was shown to help ease muscle pain associated with
exercise by 25%, suggesting a new cost-effective treatment to pain
associated with recent exercise. It was also believed that heating
ginger, as occurs with cooking, might increase its pain-relieving
effects.

Motion sickness presents symptoms including dizziness, nausea, vomiting
and perspiration. Ginger can remedy all of these symptoms, according to
World's Healthiest Foods website. In fact, WHF cites that ginger may be a
more effective motion sickness remedy than Dramamine, an
over-the-counter and prescription drug widely-used for this purpose. The National Institutes of Health, or NIH,
identifies two other types of
nausea that may be remedied with ginger. When taken prior to surgery,
ginger may prevent or reduce post-operative nausea and vomiting. Also,
ginger may reduce the severity and duration of nausea that is a common
side effect of chemotherapy treatments. Ginger has anti-inflammatory
properties potentially useful in the
treatment of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, according to WHF.
Ginger can lessen inflammation-induced pain, and reduce reliance on pain
medications. It seems like most conditions
related to inflammation may benefit from ginger as well. Ginger may also
function as an anti-platelet agent, according to the NIH. Along with
helping to prevent blood clots, another
possible benefit of ginger is lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) levels, and
we know that these two
effects can help protect against heart disease.

FYI, Ginger
acts as a useful food preservative. Fresh ginger can be substituted for
ground ginger but the flavors of fresh and dried ginger are kinda
different. Powdered dry ginger root is used as a flavoring for recipes
such as gingerbread, cookies, crackers and cakes, ginger ale, and ginger
beer. Candied ginger is the root cooked in sugar until soft, and is a
type of confectionery. Although not mandatory I peel fresh ginger before eating. Then I
either pulverize it with a steak mallet for use or put it through my
hand garlic press, or grate it. You can add it to any fish or seafood
dish, all
Asian food, or mac & cheese or even make tea. For longer-term storage,
the ginger can be placed in a plastic bag and refrigerated or frozen. I
have a nice root in my freezer now. Now when buying ginger, of course
fresh is best. So be sure to avoid ginger with dry, wrinkled, skin, mold
or
soft spots. African and Indian ginger are the most potent. Grating or
using a garlic press will give you the maximum benefit. Ginger can
definitely give you many benefits but eating more is not always better. If you eat 7-9 ounces a week this should give you all the benefits you will need. In the
West, we most often use ginger in baking. Not cooking. We bake it into sweets such as gingerbread,
ginger snaps cookies, pancakes, and muffins, but it can really go great
in most any kind of dish coming out o your kitchen, and plays very well with garlic. Fresh ginger juice
is very potent as it contains high levels of active enzymes. The root of
the ginger plant is not only good for its flavor, and antioxidants but
also for its healing qualities. Always remember check with your Doctor
before changing your diet, especially if you take prescription meds. So
looks like adding a little more
ginger to our regular diet could be a good
idea. Good Luck...

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Nothing gives me more joy in life than to help people achieve their fitness goals. Either through my personal training business;Flex-Appeal that I have operated in Orange County, Ca. for over 20yrs. or my nutrition website docsfitnesstips.com. I was dubbed Doc by my sailing crew when I was a racing sailor. After tending to the many bumps & bruises, of my fellow crew. I have been a athlete and trainer for over 20 years. Competing in Soccer, Mtn.Biking, Body Building,Softball,Sailing, and Ultimate Frisbee. I'm a licensed U.S.C.G. Captain, and a PADI Scuba Instructor. My training and nutrition expertise spans over 2 decades of working with competitive athletes in the fitness and athletic arenas, to weight-loss and fitness for Mom & Pop, to working in assisted care facilities with Grandma. As an in home personal trainer, I've trained individuals and families throughout Orange County from Dana Point, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills and Laguna Niguel. Please contact me with any fitness or diet questions at, flexappealdoc@ hotmail.com or visit my website for personal training tips at www.docsfitnesstips.com